Level.



J. SCHMID.

LEVEL.

APPLICATION FILED APB-.13, 1909.

956,830. Patented May 3, 1910.

Fig. 4: 4

WI TNESSES v IN VEN TOR mmniw a GRAHAM CO1.FNOYO-LTTNOGRAFNERS.WHSHINGTON, 11c.

JACOB SCHMIID, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

LEVEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed April 13, 1909. Serial No. 489,713.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AOOB SOHMID, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Levels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a spirit level wherein there are certain features of construction whereby it may be used after the manner of a field or surveyors level, and whereby it may be easily adjusted.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation with parts in section of a level embodying features of the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in section on or about line w-m of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in end elevation of the level, with a forward sight elevated. Fig. 4 is a view in detail of a rear sight-plate.

Referring to the drawings, a rectangular frame 1 with parallel sides and ends properly ribbed and flanges for strength and lightness and of the proportions of a conventional spirit level, has a central circular opening in which a level tube holder is secured. The latter consists of a base 2 adapted to be seated in an opening which is counterbored so that the outer face of the base 2 is flush with the adjacent face of the frame, and a cover 3 likewise seated in the opposite counterbored end of the central opening, the base and cover having a pair of mating lugs 4 and 5 on their inner faces which in terlock and at the same time act as a support for a level tube 6, suitable view holes 7 being cut in both base and cover and a screw 8 or like suitable means holding the latter together in the frame opening.

second view hole 9 is likewise formed in the adjacent side of the frame, if preferred. By adjustably rotating the holder in the frame, the level tube 6 is readily brought into proper relation with the side of the frame as the tube is eccentric to the openin center. A similar holder 10 is provided in a suitable opening; one near each end of the level with the tube disposed transversely for plumbing purposes, in the usual manner.

Eachend member of the frame has a shallow broad groove in which sliding sightplates 11 and 12 are retained by cover plates 13 and 14. Thumb screws 15 and 16 clamp the sight plates when they are housed, and act as stops on which the sights may rest when drawn out, a finger pull 17 on each sight with finger slot 18 facilitating the latter operation. The front sight 12 has an aperture crossed by a wire or hair 19. The rear sight has a circular aperture 20, or the sights may be arranged in any preferred manner.

It is often convenient to place the level on one wall and sight across to another. As the top of a wall is usually irregular, the forward part of the level may be placed on a high spot, and the rear end raised to horizontal position by means of a slide block 21 engaging a transverse guide slot in a crossmember 22, a nut 24 on the screw-threaded stem 25 of the block an aperture of the frame affording means for moving the block. To fit it for field use, a socket is formed in the side of the frame between the slide block and front end, in which the end 26 of a jackstafi or tripod may be inserted, a swinging bracket arm 27 on the staff likewise engaging an aperture in the slide block 21. By th s arrangement the level may be used for rough field and foundation use, the sights being sufficiently accurate for the purpose, and the jack-staff and slide block enabling the user to quickly level the instrument.

By this construction, a portable level is obtained suitable for ordinary masonr and carpenter work, and likewise availab e for the rougher class of field work in laying out foundations, and the like.

Obviously changes in the details of construction can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I do not care to limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of parts.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A level comprising a rectangular frame having a jack stafi socket in one side near one end thereof and a slide block adjustabletransversely to the frame in the same side near the other end thereof, adapted to receive a bracket for a jack staff, a level tube adjustably secured between the frame ends near the other side thereof, and plummet tubes each adjustably secured in the frame near one end and perpendicular to the sides.

2. A level comprising a rectangular frame having a jack stafl' socket in one side near one end thereof and a slide block adjustable transversely to 'the frame in the same side near the other end thereof, adapted to receive a bracket of a jack staff, a level tube adjustably secured between the frame ends near the other side thereof, plummet tubes each adjustably secured in the frame near one end perpendicular to the sides, a sight plate transversely movable in each end of the frame, and means for holding the plates in alined extended positions.

3. A level comprising a rectangular frame having a central circular aperture counterbored at each end, a level tube holder consisting of a base rotatable in one end of the aperture, a cover rotatable in the other end, a clamping screw securing the cover and base, flanges on the base, and flanges on the cover interlocking with the base flanges, a level tube eccentric to the holder center supported by the flanges opposite view holes in the cover and base and adjacent side of the frame, plummet tube holders corresponding to the level tube holders in apertures near the ends of the frame, plummet tubes therein, a block sliding transversely in the frame between the level tube and one of the plummet tubes, and means for securing the block in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB SCHMID. Witnesses:

C. RSTIGKNEY, A. M. SHANNON. 

